Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and instrumentalist with a four-octave vocal range. Starting as a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows in the late fifties, he ventured into a solo career after the group disbanded in 1960 signing with the Tamla Records subsidiary of Motown Records. After starting off as a session drummer, Gaye ranked as the label's top-selling solo artist during the 1960s.
In 1961, Tamla released Gaye's first single, “Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide.” Later in 1961, Motown issued Gaye's first album, “The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye” comprising Gaye's jazz int...